WASHINGTON, June 21, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA) issued the following statement today on reports of expanded use of certain portable electronic devices in flight:

"The Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC) is tasked with providing detailed recommendations on the expanded use of personal electronic devices (PED) in the aircraft cabin. As a member of the ARC, AFA is committed to ensuring that any expanded use of PEDs is based on the principle that the safety of flight will not be adversely affected.

"Any conclusions reached regarding a draft report by the ARC are premature. The Committee's work is not yet completed and AFA will continue to review and comment on the draft document, which is expected to change significantly before final publication.

"AFA supports technical innovation, but our first priorities are the safety and security of flight, as they are for the FAA, other aviation stakeholders and the traveling public.

"The proposal to allow the use of PEDs during critical phases of flight still requires extensive review and safety testing, if recommended by the PED ARC and ultimately adopted by the FAA."

The Committee plans to offer final recommendations to the Federal Aviation Administration in September.

The Association of Flight Attendants is the world's largest Flight Attendant union. Focused 100 percent on Flight Attendant issues, AFA has been the leader in advancing the Flight Attendant profession for 67 years. Serving as the voice for Flight Attendants in the workplace, in the aviation industry, in the media and on Capitol Hill, AFA has transformed the Flight Attendant profession by raising wages, benefits and working conditions. Nearly 60,000 Flight Attendants come together to form AFA, part of the 700,000-member strong Communications Workers of America (CWA), AFL-CIO. Visit us at www.afacwa.org.